Derrick platform structure



Oct. 2, 1951 w. R. SIMS DERRICK PLATFORM STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed July 28, 1947 Wil/iam R. Sims Oct. 2, 1951 w, SIMS 2,570,076

DERRICK PLATFORM STRUCTURE Filed July 28, 1947 2 Sheets-Shet 2 43 56 69 r 64 54 6' 39 20 s 55 {a 41 56' 46 44 42 5/ 38 ammo v William R. Sims Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES iATiENT OFFICE DERRICK PLATFORM STRUCTURE William R. Sims, Carthage, Tex. Application July 28, 1947, Serial No. 764,084

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in derrick platform structures and more particularly to adjustable platforms adapted for use in oil well derricks.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick platform structure which is so arranged as to be particularly adaptable for use in running or stabbing Well casing, pipe or pump rods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick platform which is adjustable vertically of a derrick as well as transversely thereof, whereby the platform may be positioned at different elevations and transverse projections to facilitate the coupling of well pipes of various lengths and, when not in use, may be retracted adjacent one of the sides of the derrick.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved platform, of the character described, which is pivotally supported adjacent one of the sides of the derrick so as to be capable of being readily and compactly folded against the derrick side whenever desired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved platform structure having a novel support whereby the platform structure may be readily and removably mounted in any derrick of conventional construction and whereby the same platform structure may be used in conjunction with a plurality of derricks.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved platform, of the character described, wherein means for controlling the vertical and transverse adjustments are operable from the supporting surface of the platform whereby a workman may make desired adjust ments Without leaving said platform.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a platform structure, constructed in accordance with the invention, and shown in its folded position mounted in a derrick,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the platform structure unfolded,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the portion of its support,

Fig. i is a transverse, vertical, sectional View of the platform, its carriage and a portion of its support, and

platform, showing a Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carriage.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates the usual inclined legs of a derrick having horizontal girths H and diagonal braces l2. A derrick platform structure I3 is adapted to be mounted in the derrick by means of a suitable support or frame M, which is of substantially triangular shape and includes a pair of laterally-spaced, substantially upright guide rails orchannels IS. A pair of inclined legs [6, having their upper ends converging toward and connected to the upper ends of the channels l5, are disposed opposite and in substantially the same vertical planes as said channels. Suitable cross braces or bars I! connect and space the legs from the channels and each other. The upper and lower end of the channels are connected by similar bars or members H. For securing the frame It at desired elevations in the derrick, a plurality of flat bracket plates it are Welded'or otherwise secured to the legs IQ adjacent the cross braces I1 and are adapted to receive suitable J-bolts I8 which engage the girths I I. Thus, the legs are securely fastened to one side of the derrick in contiguous, parallel relation. The inclination of the legs is such that the channels I5 are substantially upright when said legs are fastened to one side of the derrick. It is pointed out that the frame [4 may be disposed at any, desired elevation in a derrick and is provided with an eye bracket [9 at its top cross bar [1 to facilitate hoisting and positioning of the same.

A Working platform, indicated generally by the pumeral 20, is slidably mounted between the channels l5 by means of a carriage 2!. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 5, the carriage 2| is of substantially triangular shape and is formed of suitable angle bars which are welded or otherwise secured together and includes a horizontal top portion 22 and an upright side portion 23 connected by inclined legs 24. Pairs of guide rollers or elements 25 are rotatably mounted upon horizontal shafts 26 which are preferably welded to the upright side portion 23 of the carriage at the upper and lower ends thereof. These rollers 25 engage within the channels l5 so as to slidably support said carriage therebetween.

For maintaining the carriage 2| in vertical1y adjusted positions, suitable stops or detents 2! are secured on the external surfaces of the channels H5 at spaced intervals. A latch mechanism 28 is carried by the carriage 2! for coacting with the stops 2! and includes a rod or shaft 29 which extends transversely of the carriage upright portion 23 and has its end portions journaled in suitable brackets 30 mounted on said upright poru tion. The ends of the shaft 29 project beyond the brackets 30 and have suitable latch elements or pawls 3| mounted thereon. As is most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pawls 3| engage the stops 2? for maintaining the carriage in vertically-adjusted positions relative to the channels 15. For actuating the latching mechanism, a foot lever 32 is pivotally supported above the carriage by a suitable brace or bracket 33. A foot pedal 34 is provided upon the upwardly projecting end of the lever 32 and suitable pivoted links 35 and 36 connect the opposite end of said lever to the shaft 29. to the shaft, depression of the foot pedal and pivotal swinging of the lever 32 results in counter-clockwise rotation of said shaft so as to swing the pawls 3| outwardly out of engagement with the stops 21. A coiled or helical spring 31 is confined between the bracket 33 and the upwardly projecting end of the lever 32 for maintaining said lever in such position with the pawls in engagement with the stops. Although it is necessary to retract or swing the pawls away from the stops when it is desired to lower the carriage, due to the spring-pressed arrangement of the lever, said pawls will ride over said stops when said carriage is moved upwardly.

The platform 20 includes a supporting surface in the form of a deck or stage 38 which is supported by the carriage 2| and projects outwardly therefrom into the interior of the derrick. For pivotally mounting the stage 38, a pair of apertured ears or eyes 39 are secured to the top 22 of the carriage at opposite sides thereof adjacent its junction with the upright portion 23 and are adapted to receive a shaft or rod #50 carried by and extending transversely of said stage. The latter includes a pair of adjustable or telescoping frame members All and G2, which are preferably formed of telescoping sleeves or pipes at and M. Suitable cross braces 45 connect the inner end portions of the sleeves 43 of the frame member 4| and the pivot rod 48 connects said frame member and sleeves to the eyes 39 of the carriage. Thus, the inner end portion of the frame member 4| overlies and rests upon the carriage. Suitable abutment plates 46 are secured to the outer end of the top 22 of the carriage for maintaining the frame member 4| in a horizontal plane when it is swung downwardly into engage- I ment therewith.

The sleeves 44 of the outer frame member d2 telescope over the sleeves or pipes 43 of the inner frame member 4|, whereby the effective length or projection of the stage 38 may be varied by moving saidouter frame member relative to said inner frame member. A pair of longitudinal bars 41 are disposed between the sleeves 43 and have their inner end portions secured to the cross braces 45 of the inner frame member. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 3, a winch mechanism 48 is mounted on the outer end of the bars 41 between the sleeves of the outer frame member and includes a transverse shaft 49 upon which a suitable reel 50 is mounted. The latter is adapted to receive a cable which has its free ends con nected to opposite ends of the outer frame member as shown by the numerals 52 and 53. A reversible ratchet lever 54 is mounted on one end of the shaft 39 for rotating the same so as to cause the reel 50 to travel relative to the cable 5| and thereby reciprocate or slide the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member. Suitable cross braces 55 connect the ends and intermediate portions of the pipes or sleeves 64 Since the link 36 is rigidly connected 4 of the outer frame member and a foraminous screen or deck plate 55 of expanded metal is mounted thereon. The lever 54 projects through a slot or opening 56' formed in the deck plate 56.

A guard is provided for the stage 33 by means of standards or posts 51 which are pivotally connected to the corners of the outer frame member and have pins 58 at their upper ends for removably receiving eye bars or rods 59. Due to the pivotal mounting of the posts 5'1 and the'removability of the rods 59, said posts may be folded downwardly when it is desired to swing the stage upwardly as shown in Fig. 1. To facilitate upward swinging of the stage, a portable hoist E0 is suitably suspended from the upper end of the frame i4 and an eye 6| is secured to the outer cross bar 55 of the outer frame member 42 for receiving the hook 62 carried by the chain 63 of the hoist. A similar eye 61% is carried by the innermost cross bar 5 of the inner frame member, whereby the hoist may be utilized to raise and lower the stage and its carriage 2| relative to the guide channels l5.

In use, the derrick platform structure is lifted into a derrick by means of the eye l9 at the upper end of the frame M and the legs [6 of said frame are secured to one of the sides of the derrick by means of the brackets Hi and the J-bolts i8 which engage the girths H of said derrick side. in installing the platform structure, the stage is swung upwardly by means of the hoist 50 so as to be disposed adjacent the channels l5. When it is desired to use the platform, the stage is swung downwardly so as to overlie the carriage 2| and extend horizontally toward the center of the derrick. By swinging the posts 51 upwardly and engaging the eye bars 59 upon the pins 58 of said posts, a workman may stand upon the stage without danger of falling therefrom. The

a hook 62 of the hoist chain 63 is disengaged from the eye 6| and engaged with the eye 54 for ad'- justing the vertical position of the stage. As has been explained, the carriage and stage may be moved upwardly relative to the channels i5 due to the spring-pressed arrangement of the latch mechanism 223. However, when itis desired to lower the carriage and stage, it is necessary to depress the lever 32 so as to swing the pawls 3| outwardly away from the channels and their stops 2'5. The projection or length of the stage may be readily varied by actuation of the ratchet lever 54 which causes rotation of the shaft 49 and its reel 50 whereby one end of the cable is taken up and the other end is payed out. Due to the, telescoping arrangement of the sleeves 43 and 44, the frame member 42 is moved relative to the frame member 4| upon actuation of the lever 54. By reversing the lever, the outer frame member may be moved in the opposite direction relative to the inner frame member. As has been pointed out hereinbefore, the stage 38 may be swung upwardly out of the way whenever desired.

Due to the construction of the derrick platform, the same may be readily mounted within a derrick or removed therefrom in a relatively short period of time. Although primarily adapted to be used in running or stabbing well. casing, pipes and rods, the derrick platform structure may be employed advantageously in packing the swivel which is connected to the upper end of the drill stem, fastening the cementing head or connection to the top or upper end of the casing which is not cut off until after cementing the casing as well as for other well operations. In running or stabbing casing, it is of utmost importance that the derrick platform be readily adjustable because the casing varies in length. This is par- "ticularly true where used or second-hand casing is employed. By vertically adjusting the platform relative to its support, a workman may be positioned in close proximity to the upper end of this casing so as to eliminate or materially reduce the possibility of injury due to his becoming overbalanced.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A platform structure for use in derricks including, a support adapted to be fastened to one side inwardly of a derrick and having upright a guide means, a carriage slidably mounted on the guide means so as to be movable vertically of the derrick, the carriage having a horizontal frame at its upper end projecting inwardly of the derrick from said guide means, a rectangular working platform having one end portion resting upon and supported by the horizontal frame of the carriage with it opposite end portion extending inwardly thereof, the platform having the extremity of said one end portion pivotally attached to said carriage frame adjacent said guide means whereby said platform is pivotal upwardly into parallel contiguous relation to said guide means.

2. A platform structure as set forth in claim 1 including, spaced stops on the guide means, a latch pivotally mounted on the carriage below its frame, and a pedal pivotally supported by and projecting above the carriage frame and having connection with the latch for actuating the same.

3. A platform structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion of the platform rests upon the inner margin of the carriage frame.

4. A platform structure as set forth in claim 1, the working platform including tubular members carrying a load supporting surface, and. elongate REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 317,825 McLagan May 12, 1885 788,992 Bauer May 2, 1905 1,715,200 Lambert May 28, 1929 1,841,671 Rawson Jan. 19, 1932 2,390,284 Woody et al. Dec. 4, 1945 2,425,302 Calhoun Aug. 12, 1947 

